Ongoing Coverage: Fourmile Canyon Fire

Canadian firm eyes Boulder for factory to make marijuana-infused tea

Marijuana in flower at an indoor medical marijuana grow March 19, 2013 in Denver. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Canadian biotech firm Abattis Bioceuticals plans to open a Boulder plant to produce beverages infused with non-narcotic marijuana compounds.

The facility will make kombucha tea containing marijuana-based cannabidiol, or CBD, a substance with purported anti-inflammatory properties. Abattis officials said Colorado was selected for the manufacturing plant because of the market potential for cannabis products after the passage of Amendment 64 which legalizes possession of marijuana.

"Colorado is a business-oriented state that supports this growing sector," said Nick Brusatore, a member of Abattis' board of directors.

Brusatore said the plant, at a yet-undetermined location, initially will employ about 10 workers and could grow to 30 jobs depending on market demand for the beverage.

Abattis' interest in Boulder was reported last week in Medical Marijuana Business Daily. Vancouver-based Abattis recently signed a letter of intent with Crudessence Kombucha Inc., maker of Rise sparkling tea, to license the production of kombucha infused with CBD. Kombucha is a microbial culture of bacteria and yeast species.